Elected representatives and their high handedness

The Lokayukta Santosh Hegde heads an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in our state of Karnataka. Santosh Hegde is one among a pool of upright retired judges. of whom we should be proud of. The Karnataka Lokaukta organization is set up on the pattern of the institutions of Ombudsman in Scandinavian countries and Parliamentary Commissioner for Investigation in New Zealand. 

Morarji Desai had submitted a special interim report on "Problems of Redresses of Citizen's Grievances” in 1966. In this report, the ARC recommended the setting up of two special authorities designated Lokpal and Lokaukta for the redresses of citizens' grievances. 

An amendment to the Constitution has been proposed to implement the Lokaukta uniformly across Indian States. The proposed changes will make the institution of Lokaukta uniform across the country as a three-member body, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or high court chief justice and comprise the state vigilance commissioner and a jurist or an eminent administrator as other members. However Lokaukta does not have binding powers to punish anyone. Owing to this, many acts of the Lokaukta have borne not enough fruit since the raided officers manage to free themselves from the clutches of the Indian Law. The original reference can be viewed here. 

Apart from this Indian democracy including our own Karnataka is successfully being high jacked by corrupt politicians. This is evident by the misuse of transfer powers bestowed with them. This is what to day’s front page BM story highlights well. Good job Hemanth!